Dermatology Associates of Coastal Carolina is a full-service dermatology practice dedicated to providing comprehensive skin care, including general medical dermatology, skin cancer surgery, MOHS Surgery for complicated skin cancers in cosmetically challenging locations, as well as cosmetic services.
Dr. James M. Polo
Dr. James Polo graduated from the United States Naval Academy and attended the Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences in Bethesda, Maryland, earning a Doctorate of Medicine. He completed his Dermatology Residency at the Naval Medical Center in San Diego, California. He was stationed as a dermatologist at Naval Hospital Camp Lejeune for seven years. During that time, he served as Chairman of the Department of Dermatology and Specialty Advisor to the Navy Surgeon General. Dr. Polo is Board Certified in Dermatology and is a Fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology. He is a member and Fellow of the American Society for Mohs Surgery.
Dr. Sean J. Murphy
Dr. Sean Murphy graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1992 and earned his medical degree at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine in 1996. He completed his Dermatology Residency at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland. Prior to joining Dermatology Associates of Coastal Carolina, he was Chairman of the Department of Dermatology at Naval Hospital Camp Lejeune. Dr. Murphy is Board Certified in Dermatology and a Fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology. He is a member of the American Society for Mohs Surgery, the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery and the North Carolina Dermatology Association.
Dr. Scott McClellan
Dr. Scott McClellan is the primary provider for our Kinston office. He graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1993 and The Ohio State University College of Medicine. He completed his Dermatology Residency at Naval Medical Center in San Diego, California and Dermatopathology Fellowship at University of California, Los Angeles. Dr. McClellan is Board Certified in Dermatology and a Fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology.
Lauren Cowell, Certified Nurse Practitioner
Lauren is a Certified Nurse Practitioner who graduated from Maryville University of St. Louis, Missouri with her Master of Science in Acute Care Nurse Practitioner degree. Prior to her nursing career, Lauren earned her Bachelor of Science degrees in Biology and Chemistry from Methodist University in 2008, where she played collegiate volleyball. Lauren worked in histology and cytology at Duke University Hospital before earning her Bachelor of Nursing from UNC Wilmington in 2013. As a nurse, she worked in the Surgical Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and the Operating Room. In 2021, Lauren joined Dermatology Associates of Coastal Carolina, as our very first Nurse Practitioner. She is an active member of the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses and the Society of Dermatology Nurse Practitioners Association.
Lauren Thomas, Certified Physician Assistant
Lauren is a Certified Physician Assistant who graduated from North Carolina State University and Jefferson College of Health Sciences with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biological Sciences and a Master of Science degree in Physician Assistant Studies. Lauren has worked in emergency medicine before joining the Dermatology Associates of Coastal Carolina team in 2016. Lauren is also a member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants and the North Carolina Academy of Physician Assistants.
Catherine Pollard, Certified Physician Assistant
Catherine Pollard, our Certified Physician Assistant, graduated summa cum laude from Sewane: The University of the South in 2006 and then received her Master of Science degree in Physician Assistant Studies from the University of Alabama Birmingham Surgical Physician's Assistant Program in 2009. She joined our practice in 2010 and provides care to all of our patients in the New Bern, Kinston, Jacksonville and Morehead City offices of Dermatology Associates of Coastal Carolina. She is a member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants, the Society of Dermatology Physician Assistants and the Phi Beta Kappa Society.
Jamie L. Jones, Certified Physician Assistant
Jamie is a Certified Physician Assistant who graduated from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology. Jamie obtained her Master of Physician Assistant Practice degree at Campbell University in Buies Creek, NC. She is an active member of the North Carolina Academy of Physician Assistants, American Academy of Physician Assistants and Society of Dermatology Physician Assistants. Prior to joining Dermatology Associates in 2019, Jamie worked in Lumberton and Wilmington, NC specializing in cosmetic and general dermatology. Jamie is a native of the New Bern, NC area who looks forward to providing exceptional patient care in our New Bern and Kinston offices.
Danielle Hunt, Certified Physician Assistant
Danielle is a Certified Physician Assistant who graduated from North Carolina State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry. In 2014, she received her Master of Physician Assistant Practice degree from Campbell University. Prior to joining our practice, Danielle worked in urgent care and emergency medicine. She is a member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants, the North Carolina Academy of Physician Assistants and has joined the Society of Dermatology Physician Assistants. Danielle primarily serves our patients out of the Kinston office.
Justin Loucks, Certified Physician Assistant
Justin is a Certified Physician Assistant and earned a Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies at East Carolina University. Prior to his focus in dermatology, he completed undergraduate studies at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He is a fellow of the Society of Dermatology Physician Assistants and the American Association of Physician Assistants, as well as a DermCare Team Member of the American Academy of Dermatology.
Kayla Hess, Certified Physician Assistant
Kayla has experience in acute care, internal medicine, and dermatology. Kayla earned her dual Bachelor's Degree in Biology and Food Science Nutrition, complemented minor in Chemistry, from Indiana University of Pennsylvania in 2018. This was followed by her Master's Degree in Physician Assistant Science at Seton Hill University in 2021. Kayla has a passion of not only allowing her patients to achieve excellent skin health, but also loves to empower her patients with preventative skin health knowledge. She is a clinical educator where she gets to educate other colleagues on gene expressions tests and preventive practices related to melanoma and squamous cell carcinoma, and further care skills that can be related to the skin cancer. She practices a healthy lifestyle and loves to educate on nutritional practices as well in her spare time.
Kelsey Richard, Certified Physician Assistant
Kelsey Richard is a Certified Physician Assistant who graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology. Kelsey obtained her Master of Physician Assistant Practice degree at Hardin Simmons University in Abilene, Texas. Prior to joining our practice, she worked in emergency medicine at Naval Hospital Camp Lejeune as well as at a medical dermatology practice in Wilmington, NC. Kelsey is also a fellow member of Society of Dermatology Physician Assistants.
Abigail McClellan, Certified Physician Assistant
Abby is a Certified Physician Assistant who graduated from North Carolina State University with a Bachelor of Science in Human Biology in 2020. Abby obtained her Masters of Physician Assistant Studies from Radford University Carilion in Roanoke, VA. She is an active member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants.
Alexa Mullally, Certified Physician Assistant
Alexa is a Certified Physician Assistant who graduated from East Tennessee State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Health Sciences with a concentration in Human Health. In 2023, she received her Master of Physician Assistant Practice degree from the University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center. Additionally to working in dermatology, Alexa has experience working in procedural radiology.
Allison McCarty, Certified Physician Assistant
Allison is a dedicated and skilled Certified Physician Assistant who brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the practice. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Public Health Studies from East Carolina University, followed by a Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies from Radford University Carilion.
Prior to her role at Dermatology Associates of Coastal Carolina, Allison practiced in the field of general surgery, where she honed her clinical and surgical skills. Her commitment to her profession is reflected in her active membership in both the American Academy of Physician Assistants and the North Carolina Academy of Physician Assistants.
Allison is passionate about providing high-quality, compassionate care to her patients, striving to improve their health and well-being through comprehensive dermatological services.